Peer Support Specialist - Certified

Volunteers Of America, Utah•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

Volunteers of America, Utah’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program uses a multidisciplinary “hospital without walls” model to provide intensive, integrated services in clients’ homes, workplaces, and other community settings. ACT team members tailor services to each client’s preferences and goals, emphasizing relationship building, active involvement, improved functioning, symptom management, and optimism. The Case Manager/Peer Support Specialist provides individualized supportive case management to agency clients with the goals of helping them achieve or maintain stability and independence, access resources for housing and other needs, and benefit from expertise in recovery and symptom management. The position serves people with severe and persistent mental illness in an outpatient community setting. A Utah Certified Peer Support Specialist credential is required. The work schedule includes weekends.

Requirements

Personal experience with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, with a level of recovery sufficient to manage the condition and function independently.
Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) in Utah.
GED or high school diploma.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheets.
Ability to build rapport with clients and engage them in case management.
Ability to maintain a calm demeanor while working with a potentially high-distress population.
Ability to work inside and outside an office, climb stairs, enter client homes, and deliver services in shelters, on the street, and in other settings.
Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record, and be insurable under the agency liability policy.
Must pass Utah DHHS Office of Licensing background screening for work with vulnerable populations and maintain an “Eligible” determination through continuous background monitoring/Rap back enrollment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
Working knowledge or experience collaborating with community resources.

Responsibilities

Provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team staff.
Assess service needs and coordinate access to necessary services.
Apply for, acquire, and maintain long-term benefits for clients.
Provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, individualized side-by-side support, problem solving, direct assistance training, and supervision to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living.
Participate in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings.
Complete documentation and meet minimum service time based on ACT requirements.
Visit clients in their homes.
Provide on-call crisis intervention.

Benefits

Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Health savings account.
403(b) retirement plan with employer match of 50% up to 3%.
Employee Assistance Program for all employees.
33 paid days off to start: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days.
Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more after 5 and 9 years of service.
Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
$50,000 in employer-paid life insurance, with additional coverage available.
$1,200 annual employer contribution to a Health Savings Account, paid quarterly.
Employee Referral Program with cash bonuses and paid time off.